posted on January 12, 2001 05:43:26 AM
I normally ship priority because I can add tracking. I do not want a bidder to say an item did not arrive when it actually did. I do have a receipt from the post office that shows the zip code when I ship first class. If I ship first class, how do I prove that the shipment arrived. Paying for return receipt is too expensive. Has anyone ever had a bidder say the item did not arrive via first class? If so, what did you do?
posted on January 12, 2001 06:37:16 AM
You don't have to offer the choice; you could just say you only ship Priority. But if you sell media (books, tapes) Delivery Confirmation is also available on book rate.
posted on January 12, 2001 06:50:22 AM
Ship parcel post and you can add tracking for $.50
Ship Priority and it's $.40
And don't give them a choice if it concerns you, state that DC will be added to ALL shipments for the buyer's protection. And if they don't want to pay for it, point them to your TOS.
posted on January 12, 2001 07:12:28 AM
I used to ship priority with dc. Then I had a regular customer tell me an item never arrived. The post office insisted it had. Now, I had dealt with the customer a few times already with great success, so I went back to the post office and asked how they know when it is delivered. Answer: the postal clerk who delivers it punches it in. This actually happened 3 more times.
So, I started asking the po MANY questions about my options and finally settled on Insured First Class mail. That costs less than $3 for an 8 oz package (I sell photos) with insurance up to $50. If a customer says the item was never delivered, the post office refunds the insured value. If it arrives damaged, same thing.
Delivery confirmation is great but do you realize that if the package never arrives, there is nothing the post office will do for you? I've had that happen too. When even the post office admits the package has disappeared and nothing is done about it, it's time to change shipping methods.
Amazingly, since then (about 5 months - hundreds of items), nothing has been lost or damaged. All my customers are happy because my postage stayed reasonable and my packages arrived safely. I'm happy because it is even easier to package first class insured mail. So, it's a win-win situation.
posted on January 12, 2001 08:33:32 AM
Well let me say something here.
If I pay for DC on a package and that package does not arrive, it is obvious USPS lost that package.
I do not care what their policy states, I can take them to court and win !
For example ;
If you give me a box to deliver to someone and you have proof that you gave me that box and you have proof that the box did not arrive (i.e. Deliver Confirmation) then I am responsible for that box whether it was insured or not.
I do not see how USPS can get away with not being held responsible if you have proof you shipped (i.e. your reciept) and your have proof the item was never delivered (i.e. Delivery Confirmation). This is enough proof in a court of law to win.
Someone plese enlighten me as to why USPS can get away with this.
posted on January 12, 2001 12:47:12 PM
You can take them to court and get your $3.85 back if you want to. Unless insured, the PO's limit of liability is the cost of the postage, and in some cases the postage cost is not even refundable or not worth the effort.
This is standard for all shippers. The limit of liability is the cost of the service, unless insured.
[ edited by reamond on Jan 12, 2001 12:48 PM ]
posted on January 12, 2001 01:26:53 PM
You might want to spend $30,000 + and go to law school. Then you will know from the ancient law of bailments how liability is expressed for the bailee and bailor. You'll also learn the mailbox rule, and also the higher level of responsibility and expected knowledge placed on a business as compared to a consumer, regardless what your TOS states.
